Jonathan Alexander

Jonathan Alexander is a Research Assistant Professor in the Neuroscience department at Tufts University School of Medicine. His research focuses on the roles of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and β-catenin proteins in synaptic maturation, intellectual disabilities, and autism. He investigates how β-catenin dysregulation impacts learning and memory, and collaborates on developing therapies for CTNNB1 syndrome using mouse models and human iPSCs.

Education includes a BA in Chemistry from Williams College and a PhD in Neuroscience from Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. His work spans molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders and preclinical drug testing, with a focus on translational approaches to ameliorate cognitive deficits.

Current projects include developing gene replacement therapies and testing GSK3 inhibitors for CTNNB1 syndrome. Collaborations involve pediatric geneticists and the Simons Foundation to study patient-derived iPSCs differentiated into neuronal and muscle cells.

Research highlights include identifying APC's role in synaptic plasticity and demonstrating how β-catenin overexpression leads to autism-like behaviors in mice. His findings aim to uncover therapeutic targets for intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders.